At the Opera Tonight...(taken and closed)

[Ravenwoodwitch]

"Hurry up now," Annette scolded, albeit playfully. "It's rather tacky to be late on the grand opening, don't you think?"

The blond pushed a strange of her hair behind her, her bun trying to twist itself out from her ribbon. She adjusted the light pink dress, making sure she was covered appropriately, before she stepped out of the carriage, the night air hitting full blast against her skin. She shuddered, and pulled her cloak closer around her body as she drew closer to the Opera Populaire, fully restored, and ready for her golden stage to be graced again by dancers.

It had taken ages, but the Opera Populaire had gained back both a decent reputation and a decent rebuilding. Annette had to pour all of father's resoruces and inheritence into the building, but it was sure to be worth it. There had been plenty of trouble in getting the spot, as two ladies owning property was just unheard of in their age. Not to mention the chilling reputation the place had, ever sine the phantom incident...

She grinned, and turned back to look at her sister. She had dressed well for the occasion, almost as if she were hopping to impress someone. The blond chuckled, lacing her arm through her younger sibling's, and grinned. "My my my, someone is certainly putting on airs..." she quirked a brow. "You're not meeting another man here are you?"

[Myst]

Helena laughed. "Of course not dear sister," she said as she got down from the carriage herself. "I simply wish to look my best. After all, this is our grand debut as both single young ladies and as successful business women. Besides," she said, dropping her voice and giggling a little. "You've heard the stories about the history of our opera house. The ghost? What if he is still around? Haunting the rafters and attics? Watching how we handle his opera house from beyond the grave?"
Helena laughed gaily. She had always had a gallows humor about her, finding quite unusual things funny. It was the reason she had no young man courting her currently.
"Mayhap the ghost will see you my beautiful sister and be entranced, choosing you to be his bride," Helena teased.
The opera house was lit up and full of people. It was a packed house, no seats left.
The two women made their way to Box 5, their reserved seats for this and every performance to be held at the Opera Populaire.

[Ravenwoodwitch]

Annette rolled her blue eyes. "Oh there you go again. Sometimes I worry about you and these fantastic stories. Seems like you prefer them over your own life."

The girls filed into the opera, accordingly. They were watched, of course, as they made their way past several crowds. The eldest did her best to keep her head held high, and show not a smidgen of weakness against these judgmental gentlemen. No doubt each of them had wanted to building at one point or another, for various reasons. It was their own fault for not jumping on a business opportunity when it presented itself, and for letting some silly legend corrupt their minds.

"Let us not dwell on ghosts and goblins, deary." Annette found her seat, and situated herself on the velvet cushion. "Let us focus on the success of this performance, lest our money drain like cheep water."

[Myst]

"But the ghosts and goblins are so much more fun," Helena insisted cheerfully, pointedly ignoring the snooty gentlemen who were not worthy of her attention. Dull. Each and every one of them was utterly dull. The opera playing tonight was Hannibal. As the lavish opening act began, Helena leaned forward in her seat, her eyes glittering with excitement.
This was where she wanted to be. The excitement, the lights, the sounds, the music, the energy... it was all so surreal and fantastic and so much unlike her normal life. She allowed the music to sweep her away on it's golden wings, lifting her heart and spirit.
After the first Act ended she allowed herself to look over the people who were no doubt watching the two sisters.
"Ah sister dear, I believe that young man down there is looking at you with what could be termed adoration. Of course every man in here is likely already half in love with you as it is. They will be completely under your spell and composing sonnets for you by the end of the Second Act," she teased as she linked her arm in her sister's.

[Ravenwoodwitch]

Annette shushed her sister, just as the act began. The low lights, and the rise of the orchestra was delightful, letting her sweep herself away in the brilliant story playing beneath her. She smiled, leaning against her chair, and let herself a brief moment of frivolity. The music, she had to admit, was delightful, and their trained Soprano was amazing. Her eyes, however, let herself drift to the lead tenor, strutting about in a rather peacock like style. He was a tall fellow, with a shock of reddish hair, neatly smoothed back. His dark green eyes caught hers a moment, then drifted back to his work.

Whilst the actors prepared for act two, she heard her sister speak up.

"Well they can compose all this wish," the blond sniffed. "You know I have no time for men. We have an opera house to run..."

[Myst]

"There is always time for love," Helena insisted. "For those of us for whom it is possible. In fact, I believe our leading male down there was giving you more than an interested glance sister."
Helena took Annette's hand. "Dear sister, in all seriousness, you have always put business and me above yourself. I want you to enjoy yourself to find happiness. I want you to smile again. Please, for me and more importantly for yourself, let us have him sit with us at the banquet after the performance. You deserve an evening with a handsome man to lavish compliments upon you. You have worked hard and the opera house is a success. Enjoy it."
Helena loved her sister dearly. Oftentimes she felt guilty for taking up so much of her sister's life and attention. It was time for Annette to start focusing on herself for a change.

[Ravenwoodwitch]

Dear little sister, always so caring. Annette's face softened at her sister, moving some of her dark brown hair behind her ears.

"Cherie, I'll never be able to properly pay you in kind..." she said affectionately, turning back to the murmuring crowd. "Invite the man if you wish, but I would not get too excited Ma petite. You'll learn in time why these things are not as simple as they should be..."

There was a shadow that passed over her eyes, but it quickly fled when she saw quite debacle in front of her. The curtain was ready to draw for act two, when the scenery above attempted to crash down on the lead actor. The red-haired man managed to dive to the side, and roll. As the scenery came down, Annette rose to her feet, left the box, and made a dash for the stage.